tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37664987322991516282024-03-13T03:20:19.813-07:00Reinventing OttawaKevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-53591801325161185662015-01-29T19:39:00.000-08:002015-01-29T19:44:08.563-08:00Welcome! It's been a whileIf you're visiting this blog today you probably read my blog post on apt613.ca about the future of the city. As you can see, it's been a while since my last blog post. I put my blog of pause for a few reasons. First, I started a new and demanding job in Parliament that took up a lot of my time. Second, I started this blog to bring ideas to the table to make our city better. Frankly, Ottawa needed it. But over time the very things I wanted to see happen in our city began to materialize to the point where I questioned whether this blog was needed.<br />
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So now it's 2015 and the city is in a much better place; there's actually vision. Although Reinventing Ottawa as it was probably isn't needed today, I must admit I have a little itch to write about the city again. We'll see what happens.
Subscribe or follow me on Twitter to see what I decide to do next.<br />
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Reinventing Ottawa,<br />
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Kevin BourneKevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-28978399163318934852012-12-07T20:28:00.000-08:002012-12-07T20:28:25.555-08:00PICS: Lansdowne Park ConstructionI worked half day today so I headed over to Lansdowne Park to take some construction pictures. Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em><br />
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</a><img height="63" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Znn8zmY0_Bc/UMK3U38YpYI/AAAAAAAACGs/OI_lJTv9mOs/s320/IMG_5913.CR2.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 17px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 410px;" width="96" /><br />Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-7104188090971759692012-12-02T19:07:00.000-08:002012-12-02T19:07:38.615-08:00Drawing inspiration from waterfront development in Washington DCWashington DC has two waterfront development projects in the works- <a href="http://www.theatlanticcities.com/design/2012/08/can-dc-lead-way-21st-century-waterfront/3097/" target="_blank">The Wharf</a> on the Southwest Waterfront and <a href="http://www.dcyards.com/" target="_blank">The Yards</a> along the Anacostia River.<br />
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Although Ottawa has been blessed with two rivers and a canal, we have no waterfront development projects of our own to be proud of. <br />
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I would love to see something like The Yards in Ottawa. What do you think?<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em><br />
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Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-5075158198160800152012-09-09T20:05:00.001-07:002012-09-09T21:22:48.851-07:00Bananas, Ottawa's newest Caribbean restaurantThis past week marked the third anniversary of my move to Ottawa. It feels like my wife and I have been here much longer.<br />
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Although the city has grown so much since our move, one thing that we've been missing is Caribbean culture. Yes, there are people from the Caribbean in Ottawa, but obviously not on the level of Toronto. Every once in a while we encounter some expression of Caribbean culture that makes us feel at home, but those experiences are few and far between.<br />
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So it was very exciting to hear from my son's daycare teacher that a new Caribbean restaurant had opened up in Orleans at Trim Road and Innes Road.<br />
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Friday night we were driving around the city looking for something to eat so we decided to give the new Caribbean restaurant a try. We pulled up and saw the bright yellow sign marked "Bananas".<br />
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My wife ordered a stew chicken meal and a glass of mauby while I ordered a chicken roti and ginger beer. Little did we know one of the co-owners' fathers made their drinks from scratch. <br />
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I joked with one of the co-owners that they should offer sorrel, typically a Christmas drink, later in the year. Little did I know they'd be offering sorrel all year-round and they had some in the back. I left with a free sample of the festive drink.<br />
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The next day I took a friend there to get some food and was welcomed by a steelband and a fairly large crowd. As we entered a DJ was playing reggae music and the place was packed. We ended up not staying to eat because of the crowd, but the whole thing was a welcomed sight.<br />
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There are other Caribbean restaurants in the city, but unfortunately Caribbean establishments are typically known for poor customer service and subpar dining facilities. Bananas gets top grades for each. Do they have the best food? It's good, but I've tasted some superb West Indian food that they haven't toppped yet. But they're definitely on the right track; it's easier to make changes to a recipe than to cultivate a culture of quality and professionalism. The overall experience at Bananas, including the authentic drinks, decor, and service, is far better than anything I've experienced at a Caribbean restaurant in Ottawa (or Toronto for that matter). <br />
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I have to say I'm also quite impressed with the ownership. I don't know them personally, but from my brief interaction with one of them they appear to be capable business people so far.<br />
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The opening of this restaurant sends a clear message that Ottawa is changing and becoming increasingly multicultural. It may seem like a small matter, but something like this helps us Caribbean folk to feel just a little more at home in the capital.<br />
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I recommend taking the trip to Orleans and taking in what Bananas has to offer, from the food to the authentic drinks. You won't regret it.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-8727055360040040442012-08-10T11:28:00.001-07:002012-08-25T19:29:37.050-07:00VISITING TORONTO:A Lesson in Urbanism and the ArtsMy wife and I recently took some time off work so we decided to visit our families in Toronto. We went to Caribana and celebrated our Caribbean heritage, but the highlight for me was our walk and drive through downtown.<br />
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We walked up and down Yonge Street between Yonge-Dundas Square and Front Street and took in the busyness of the men and women in suits rushing home after a day at the office. <br />
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One of the things I've disliked about Toronto was how many old buildings they've torn down. There are websites dedicated to the lost buildings of Toronto. Personally, I love modernism and tall buildings, but I also love history and that includes heritage buildings. Modernism and heritage work together to tell the story of where a city has been and where it's going. To my surprise, during our walk and drive I noticed more than ever how many old buildings Toronto still has. <br />
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Our drive started along Queen's Quay on the waterfront. I turned right onto Spadina and ended up at a red light at Bremner Avenue. As I looked up at the condos that surrounded me, I couldn't help but think the Dow's Lake area would look like that in a few years. <br />
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To the right I noticed a building the City of Ottawa used as an example for the Somerset and Scott Street bridges in the Carling-Bayview LRT Corridor <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vmAkxp44hk&feature=relmfu" target="_blank">CDP video</a>.<br />
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I then ventured past the shops on Queen Street and made a right onto John Street into the entertainment district (this area brought back some memories). <br />
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What stood out to me at this point was the number of cultural attractions in downtown Toronto including the Royal Alexandra and Princess of Wales theatres. I then made a right onto King Street West past the Bell TIFF Lightbox and into the Fashion District.<br />
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At this point my wife and son were sleeping; that allowed me to drive in silence and really take in what I was seeing (sorry I don't have any pictures- I was driving). <br />
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What I noticed the most on King Street West and in the surrounding area was how one-storey retail buildings co-existed with eight to eighteen storey condos (in Ottawa we don't seem to believe they can actually work together without destroying a neighbourhood). <br />
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Eventually our drive took us back onto Queen Street past the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, home of the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company, and down Front Street, past the Sony Centre, the Canadian Stage Company, and the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.<br />
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I marvelled at the concentration of artistic attractions in such a small area of downtown Toronto, as well as the amount of national performing arts institutions that aren't in the capital.<br />
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I left Toronto convinced more than ever about the important role the arts plays in local and national identity, economic development, and the vibrancy of downtowns. I left Toronto challenged.<br />
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I felt that Ottawa could really do with more cultural attractions in its downtown and surrounding urban areas. I felt that Ottawa had the potential to be more of a significant cultural centre in Canada. More than any other city in Canada, we could tack on "national" onto anything we do and it would be appropriate. Also, unlike Toronto and Montreal which are uniligual cities, Ottawa could appeal to both Anglophone and Francophone audiences.<br />
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I began to think about the artistic events and initiatives founded in our city over the past few years- Ottawa Fashion Week, the Ottawa International Film Festival, and now Nuit Blanche. I began to think about the redevelopment of the Arts Court and Ottawa Art Gallery (if it ever gets off the ground). I began to think about the urban growth coming our way with all the high-density development and LRT.<br />
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Although I've returned to Ottawa to see headlines of people opposing change, and change appears to be happening slowly, I believe we're headed in the right direction as an urban and cultural centre. The future is full of potential, whether we'll do something with it is yet to be seen.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-33364882356792684812012-07-31T19:26:00.000-07:002012-07-31T19:27:36.270-07:00Kevin, where've you been?I just realized how long it's been since I last wrote a blog post. Two months! <br />
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There are a few reasons why. First, photography has become my new outlet. Since buying my camera we've become inseparable. I use it to enhance some of my other interests like real estate development. I use it for work. I've even been asked to shoot engagement pictures, weddings, and events. Who would of thought? I have no desire to be a full-time photographer, but I enjoy finding new ways to communicate and tell a story.<br />
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The second reason for my hibernation is my load at work. There are specific aspects of the city's growth that I want to capture, and that not many people are writing about, but I really don't have the time since it would mean starting a whole new website. Since my job allows me to focus full-time on writing and design among many other things, in the long run it will help my craft.<br />
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The final reason I've been away is because I haven't had anything to say. I try to only write when I have something worth sharing and I just haven't had any convictions strong enough to warrant sitting down and writing.<br />
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So what else have I been up to?<br />
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Oddly enough I've found some old friends from Toronto, Mississauga to be exact, who now live in Ottawa. Some have been here for one year and another has been here for 12 years. I'm talking about people I've known since middle school. It's been amazing to catch up with people I haven't seen in over a decade.<br />
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In general, all of us GTA natives came to the same conclusions about Ottawa:<br />
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<li>Ottawans are sceptical about people from Toronto</li>
<li>Ottawa is slower to embrace change</li>
<li>Ottawa is a better place to raise a family</li>
<li>Ottawans are a lot more engaged in public affairs</li>
<li>We now enjoy a better quality of life</li>
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I already felt at home in Ottawa, like I've been here for 5 or 10 years, but having some familiar faces has been the icing on the cake.<br />
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Of all my discussions with my old friends, the most interesting was with one friend who has been here for 12 years. He talked about a culture of complacency in this city because people are doing pretty well here; change isn't life or death like in other cities. One of his final comments was that in five years I wouldn't give a s*%# anymore, implying that eventually I would become complacent like everyone else.<br />
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I examined my heart to see if I've already been lulled into complacency. Perhaps that was why I haven't written a blog post in a while.<br />
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My conclusion was that I'm not there yet, nor do I ever want to be.<br />
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I never want to be somebody that lets complacency or frustation with this city get the best of me (and I've had my share of frustration). I always want to be somebody that challenges the status quo and that believes anything is possible.<br />
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I continue to believe that Ottawa can and will be a world-class city that is known all over the world. There's no other alternative but to believe.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogpot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-85367161480861130742012-05-21T11:53:00.002-07:002012-05-21T11:53:30.615-07:00VIDEO: Downtown Ottawa Footy FreestyleI just saw this cool YouTube video of these guys doing soccer tricks all over Ottawa. For tourists and fans of all things Ottawa, it's a pretty good tour of the city. For sports nuts the tricks are pretty awesome. Enjoy!
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XR3e0q-QsB0" width="475"></iframe>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-38278180490882983552012-05-12T09:12:00.001-07:002012-05-12T09:15:48.276-07:00What Capitale BIXI can learn from NYC Bike-ShareWhen I first moved to Ottawa one of the things I noticed was how many people ride their bikes. It's enough to make you become what I've heard some Ottawans refer to as "those Lance Armstrong wannabees". You know. The ones in those spandex suits.<br />
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Although I don't cycle yet, I'm intrigued by bike-share programs and what they do for cities. In looking at the programs of different cities it's amazing to see how small Ottawa's bike-share program is compared to those in other cities. Then again, our city is a lot smaller.<br />
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When the NCC/City of Ottawa announced the locations for the bike stations <a href="http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2012/04/12/new-bixi-stations-revealed/" target="_blank">David Reevely of the Ottawa Citizen noted</a>, "We’re still looking primarily at a system for tourists."<br />
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So I began to think of what could make the Capitale BIXI program more attractive to residents. I'm not a transportation expert, but my thought was that bike-share stations should be located at major transit stations to become a viable transportation option.<br />
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A few weeks ago I came across this <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/04/20/bike-share-is-going-to-be-huge-at-nyc-transit-hubs/" target="_blank">article on StreetsBlog.com</a> called <em>"Bike-Share Is Going to Be Huge at NYC Transit Hubs"</em>. The article talks about the bike-transit connection and asks the question, "How is the NYC bike share system going to handle New York City’s biggest commuter
hubs: Penn Station, Grand Central and the Port Authority Bus Terminal?"<br />
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The plan for the Citibank sponsored <a href="http://citibikenyc.com/" target="_blank">Citi Bike</a> program to be launched this Summer is to have 180 docks at Penn Station and 140 docks at the Port Authority (together that's more bikes than Ottawa and Gatineau have in their whole system). <br />
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The NYC program will be impressive. With 600 stations and 10,000 bikes in Manhattan and Brooklyn, it will be the largest bike-share program in North America. It will be privately sponsored, privately launched and privately operated, with no public funding.<br />
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What I like is their focus on integrating the service with transit and catering the service to residents.<br />
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<em>"It’s more than just a different way to get to work. 54% of all trips New Yorkers make are less than two miles. Bike share will make these trips cheap, easy, efficient and fast. Bike share also leverages the city's great mass transit system, extending the reach of transit into areas which aren't easily accessed. Sustainable, convenient, expeditious and safe – Citi Bike will benefit you and your community."</em><br />
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The NYC Department of Transportation also refers to the program as <a href="http://a841-tfpweb.nyc.gov/bikeshare/" target="_blank">"NYC's new transit option"</a>; clearly their focus is on residents.<br />
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The StreetsBlog article also says Washington DC's Capital Bikeshare, currently the largest in the United States, has 23 docks in front of Union Station and the same number at another station close by.
Boston’s North and South Stations have 45 docks each. <br />
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Lately I've been using my lunch breaks to take walks down McLeod Street past the Museum of Nature towards Elgin Street, and every time the StreetsBlog article comes back to my mind. When you pass a BIXI station at the Museum of Nature and then pass another one at the McLeod-Elgin intersection a few minutes later, I wonder whether they were placed properly. Again, I'm not a transportation expert or an avid cyclist, but it just seems odd to me considering there are no BIXI stations serving Little Italy, Chinatown, the Glebe, Wellington West, or Westboro, or even our transit hubs like the train and bus stations.<br />
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Perhaps the NCC and our municipalities are waiting for the new LRT and Rapibus lines to be completed to connect our transit system and bike-share program and truly make it a part of the city. Until then, subscribing to this tourist-centered service is not even an option for this Ottawa resident.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-25839769066193257912012-05-08T18:46:00.001-07:002012-05-08T19:34:56.352-07:00The Glebe and the Whole Foods Effect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today on the<a href="http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=254" target="_blank"> Skyscraper Forum</a> someone posted an article from a U.S. publication called SALON about the Whole Foods Effect. The title and subtitle are <em><a href="http://www.salon.com/2012/05/05/whole_foods_is_coming_time_to_buy/" target="_blank">"Whole Foods is coming? Time to buy: Forget Starbucks: It's the gourmet grocer that lands just before neighborhoods really explode.</a></em> Often these neighbourhoods are overlooked. This isn't by some fluke. Apparently Whole Foods does its research and is very astute at the real estate game. <br />
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The article lists a handful of U.S. cities and their neighbourhoods that have experienced the Whole Foods Effect and gives readers some insight into how they locate their stores.<br />
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According to the article, while a Whole Foods store doesn't lead to increased property values on its own, they tend to set in motion a series of events that leads to gentrification.<br />
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Here's something I found interesting:<br />
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<em>"And one thing Whole Foods does is stay open later than a lot of the other shops around it, laying the groundwork for expanding the length of that neighborhood’s day.</em><br />
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<em>'What something like a movie theater or a Whole Foods does is it creates an extended-hours district,' says Reid. 'Lots of downtowns close up shop at 6, but there are certain amenities that can make a downtown go from being a 10-hour thing to a 16-hour thing.'"</em> <br />
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If the writer is right, it looks like the Glebe and Old Ottawa South, especially around Bank Street, can anticipate a lot of growth.<br />
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Check out the article and let me know what you think.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em></div>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-84444150970443756912012-04-13T08:51:00.000-07:002012-04-13T08:53:08.986-07:00GOBIA needs to happen ASAPI've had some mixed emotions about Mayor Watson's time in office so far; there are some things that rub me the wrong way, but there are other things I'm pretty excited about. One of those things is economic development. I've read the strategy and it has some very good ideas, and I like what little I've heard so far from Saad Bashir, the city's economic development manager. If the City could deliver on key initiatives outlined in the strategy I think Ottawa would be in a much better place.<br />
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So far our mayor has delivered on one of the major parts of the strategy, Invest Ottawa. Although I think some of the communications are subpar, the agency looks like a step in the right direction. They've hired some experienced leaders to fill some key positions including Film, Television and Digital Media Commissioner, Managing Director of Innovation, and Managing Director of Investment and Trade.<br />
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The next economic development initiative the mayor is trying to implement is the Greater Ottawa Business Improvement Area, also known as GOBIA; a type of umbrella organization for the city's 17 business improvement areas.<br />
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I actually like this idea. I'm in favour of just about anything that will give the private sector a greater voice in a city dominated by the public sector. I think GOBIA has an opportunity to provide a more unified voice to the business community that truly represents Ottawa's very distinct communities. The chambers of commerce surely aren't doing it. I also think a group like GOBIA could really play a role in advocating for better transit infrastructure, especially in future phases of the LRT project. If anyone could have sway with council, it would be a group like GOBIA. Lastly, with the federal government cutting jobs in the public service this is the time for the private sector to step up to the plate and take the lead in growing the local economy.<br />
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Unfortunately, this idea is getting the same reaction as another idea in the economic development strategy- unifying the chambers of commerce.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Ottawa/6437117/story.html" target="_blank">Ottawa Citizen</a> has noted two main reasons for opposition to the idea:<br />
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"Some are worried they will have to give up some of their limited budgets to fund the larger organization. Others believe businesses would lose a voice that fights on their behalf if they are forced to go along with whatever the larger organization decides on key issues."<br />
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Similar to the chambers of commerce, some BIAs are worried their own interests may be compromised by forming a larger organization which is a viable concern.<br />
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It's like a marriage where some people are afraid of losing their individuality when getting hitched with someone else to form a larger unit. One remedy is a change in perspective from what you feel you may lose to what you may gain from the new union. <br />
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At the end of the day, if the BIAs continue to oppose GOBIA I would be disappointed. Looking at this situation in isolation there's no reason to be let down, but considering the chambers of commerce also have no appetite for unification, I question whether our city can really maximize its economic potential without cooperation from our business organizations.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Kevin Bourne</span></strong><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-75497952157831375712012-04-09T09:46:00.000-07:002012-04-09T09:52:03.250-07:00Morgan Crossing:The Ghost of Lansdowne Future?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I stumbled onto <a href="http://www.morgancrossing.ca/" target="_blank">Morgan Crossing</a>, a development in South Surrey by BC-based Larco Development Group. It's being marketed as the first full-service lifestyle centre in Canada and it's quite impressive.<br />
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I looked up the company because of an <a href="http://www.househunting.ca/ottawa/street+friendly+neighbourhood+feel+Barrhaven/6416110/story.html" target="_blank">Ottawa Citizen article</a> I read yesterday that mentioned a developer named Larco doing work in Barrhaven. When I googled "Larco" I eventually stumbled onto Morgan Crossing, but was disappointed to find out Larco Development Group in BC doesn't seem to have any relation to Larco Homes in Ottawa. Nevertheless, Morgan Crossing still seems like a good model for injecting some urbanism into the suburbs.<br />
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Imagine your favourite outlet stores, including Jacob, Banana Republic, and Town Shoes, in a boutique setting with three storeys of condos on top. It's kinda Lansdownesque but with a lot more residential units. When you look at previous designs for Lansdowne Park there was supposed to be condo units above the shops backing onto Holmwood Avenue similar to Morgan Crossing. According to an <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/04/14/ottawa-lansdowne-deal-reaction.html" target="_blank">article published by the CBC</a> last April, the units were removed in a deal with the Glebe Community Association and the Old Ottawa South Community Association. That's too bad. This is probably the most defining feature of Morgan Crossing; it looks really good and it helps the development to look more like an urban village than a suburban strip mall. If Lansdowne ends up looking like a big box development, those who opposed those residential units should look in the mirror.<br />
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What makes Morgan Crossing even more appealing is the services provided; there's a dentist, supermarket, fitness centre, and pharmacy. They even have a few levels of condos on top of what looks like a big box drug store.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5Rurf6okMo/T4Ix8tio28I/AAAAAAAABqM/zgxy9zdK-AI/s1600/London+Drugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5Rurf6okMo/T4Ix8tio28I/AAAAAAAABqM/zgxy9zdK-AI/s400/London+Drugs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's this kind of out-of-the-box thinking that makes me wonder what other developers are thinking. When you look at Morgan Crossing you see what could have been at Ottawa's outdoor retail centres, whether the Trainyards or College Square, or the big box developments in Orleans, Kanata, and Barrhaven. Not sure if there was demand but it would've been interesting to see Algonquin College partner with the developer of the College Square shopping centre to put student residences above the stores in an urban village setting. <br />
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Overall, looking at Morgan Crossing, OSEG seems to be headed in a similar direction with Lansdowne, although I'm mourning some elements that have been removed from the plan that clearly would've added so much to the park.<br />
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Looking at our suburbs, something like Morgan Crossing could've even made a good town centre in any of Ottawa's suburbs since they all have transit stations. Planners, city planners, and fans of new urbansim talk about the need for urbanism and density in suburban settings; perhaps this is the answer. But we can't beat up on Ottawa; I haven't seen many cities doing surburban development well, especially when it comes to density and retail.<br />
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As if this developer wasn't impressive enough, they did a good job of getting the public and the community involved. They held a design competition, BC's Best Young Designer Competition, where the participants were able to design a condo suite, and a video competition for local filmmakers to promote the Morgan Crossing lifestyle. The outcome was everything from short films and music videos to promotional videos. Below I've included the virtual tour and some of the submissions that stood out to me. Click <a href="http://www.morgancrossing.ca/gallery/video_battle_competition/a-different-way-to-live" target="_blank">here</a> to see all the videos.<br />
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I'd love to hear from you. Is this the future of suburban development? Does this give you hope about Lansdowne?<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em><br />
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Virtual Tour (Official Video)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NupaggmAPNw" width="560"></iframe><br />
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The Anti-Suburb<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_gI5EKc658A" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Building New Opportunities<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XssuffsY65s" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Small World<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iXUDXFWaCOo" width="560"></iframe><br />
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The Crossing (Trailer)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8G9dtlXRUW8" width="560"></iframe><br />
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It's About You<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MtNPPLI_cJQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
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New Urbanism<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xpBWJk9VN9A" width="560"></iframe>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-7352820363754683212012-04-04T20:02:00.000-07:002012-04-04T20:09:00.089-07:00DC a preview of things to come?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week I stumbled onto a tweet from @urbanphoto_blog that caught my attention:"as DC rises, has it displaced chicago as US' "2nd city"? can it become a london-style "proper" capital, rivaling NY?"<br />
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The link in the tweet led me to an article in New Geography called <a href="http://www.newgeography.com/content/002745-the-great-reordering-urban-hierarchy" target="_blank">"The Great Reordering of the Urban Hierarchy"</a>.<br />
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The article says second-tier cities like Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles, who are strong nationally but don't yet have a strong international profile, are struggling while Washington DC seems to be replacing Chicago as the United States' second city, partly due to expansion within the federal government (of course there are other reasons). In 2009, Washington DC was rated the <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/01/26/daily24.html" target="_blank">top international real estate investment market</a> by the 200-member Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate, surpassing London, England (AFIRE is based in DC so the results are questionable).<br />
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The article goes on to say that DC could soon turn into more of a London type of capital, meaning a dominant, multi-function centre, than a single function government city. I have always loved the European idea of capital cities- multi-function centres like London and Paris - as compared to the North American model where the capital is emasculated by other major cities.<br />
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Here's an interesting quote from the article that captures the writer's perspective on what's happening in Washington DC:<br />
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"With Washington continuing to soar, we are seeing shifts in the balance of power even with New York, such as the increasing importance of Washington as a media center. Though the inexorable mathematical logic of the budget may crimp Washington at some point, it's certainly not impossible that some time in the future it may take its place as a London-like truly dominant national capital."<br />
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Quotes like this make my mouth water. It makes me ask some questions about our capital:<br />
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<li>Is it possible that Ottawa could eventually be Canada's second city?</li>
<li>Is it possible that Ottawa could become a multi-function capital like London?</li>
<li>Is it possible that Ottawa could become a major national and international media centre?</li>
<li>Is it possible that Ottawa's stable workforce and high per capita income could make it a centre for international real estate?</li>
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With the current culture in our city it doesn't seem probable, but anything is possible.<br />
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Similar to our neighbours to the south, Canada's urban hierarchy is being reordered as we speak. Western cities in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan are growing faster than Toronto and Montreal and in the process are gaining political clout. By the end of the decade <a href="http://business.financialpost.com/2012/03/28/calgary-to-overtake-montreal-as-office-mecca/" target="_blank">Calgary will overtake Montreal as Canada's second largest office market</a> after Toronto. Within this reordering of the urban hierarchy, Ottawa-Gatineau is also growing a lot faster than the national average (and faster than larger cities like Montreal).<br />
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I believe Ottawa has an even greater role to play in Canada and eventually the world. We've only scratched the surface of what is possible for our city.<br />
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Sir Wilfrid Laurier once stated he wanted Ottawa to be the "Washington of the North". I used to hate that statement but seeing where our American counterpart is going, it doesn't sound that bad after all.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</em></span>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-43824414582048512072012-03-28T21:38:00.000-07:002012-03-28T21:38:29.283-07:00Mississauga's Parkside Village a good model for Lebreton Flats and Bayview YardsWhen I first moved to Mississauga from North York in 1991 it was a suburb with a lot of farm land and single family homes. By the time I got married and moved to Richmond Hill the first condos started to go up. Since I moved to Ottawa, downtown Mississauga has added the Marilyn Monroe buildings, a Sheridan College campus, and a lot more condos.<br /><br>
Looking at the plans for Parkside Village, the Vancouver-inspired urban community by Vancouver developer Amacon that will be home to 6000 residences, the city west of Toronto could very well become a twin-city of Toronto much like Ottawa-Gatineau or St. Paul's-Minneapolis. Mississauga will also have an interesting niche since Vancouver type design hasn't been done on this level in the GTA.<br />
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As I look at how the developer has used this empty 30-acre downtown site, I can't help but think about the potential of Lebreton Flats and Bayview Yards in Ottawa (if my math and Wikipedia are correct, Lebreton Flats alone is almost seven times the size of Parkside Village).<br />
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Development at Lebreton Flats has already started to mixed reviews. Either you love it or hate it, but there is still a lot of potential for the area. Seeing how close Lebreton Flats and Bayview Yards are to the waterfront, the fact the area will be served by two LRT stations, and how close they are to national institutions, together Lebreton Flats and Bayview Yards have the potential to be an even more attractive area than Mississauga's Parkside Village.<br />
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The Community Design Plan (CDP) for the Bayview-Carling corridor is still in progress, but similar to Parkside, the plans include density, public spaces, parks, and shops. I'd like to see developers go in a similar direction as Parkside, especially when it comes to design. Such a village would provide a very different urban experience from the business district and the Byward Market, and would be a welcome addition to the downtown area. <br />
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I'm usually tough on the NCC so let me simply say I hope they deliver. Last August the NCC CEO Marie Lemay told the Ottawa Citizen:<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">“LeBreton is a place where there
is an opportunity to do something different. The best is yet to come in the
sense that the vision is not yet completed. Once it is completed, it will be
one of the really important building blocks of the capital. When we are done,
everybody will be proud of it.”</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">I'll try to stay optimistic.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-32226538949273319782012-03-27T20:59:00.001-07:002012-03-27T21:03:17.843-07:00"As the Train Turns":Ottawa's transit dramaToday Ottawa was filled with the twists and turns of soap opera-like transit drama; not of epic proportions like in Toronto, but enough to drive someone mad. <br />
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Now let's set the scene for this drama. As you all know every soap opera needs a conniving villain and that good guy everyone loves that usually comes from a powerful yet beloved family. Like the Buchanans, Newmans or Forresters.<br />
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On today's episode of As the Train Turns, Jeff Gillin from the beloved Gillin clan offered $2 million to help pay for a transit station at Elgin Street (or entrance, depending on what news source you read) and asked the city to postpone a vote on the LRT project for 30 days so he could raise more money.<br />
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The city villain Jim Watson, who in real life left the show for a few years to play a bigger role on another show and recently returned, then rejected the offer without any debate at city council or consultation with the public. <br />
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Then residents of Ottawa heard the NCC, the most powerful corporation in town, would be releasing a report on inter-provincial transit proposing that their mandate be expanded to include transit so they could almost function like a regional transportation agency (I'm not even going to touch this one yet; that's for another post).<br />
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I really don't understand what our city leaders are doing. There are some areas in which I think they're doing a great job, but I don't like the decisions being made on this LRT project as of late. Again, moving Rideau Station to the east end of the Rideau Centre makes complete sense, but not having a station at Confederation Square is ridiculous. Not giving a local business person the chance to raise more money, at no expense to taxpayers, to help fund another downtown station is even more ridiculous.<br />
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The mayor mentions the tight timeline as one reason to reject Jeff Gillin's offer. On other projects I would agree with him, but considering the LRT tunnel has a life expectancy of 100 to 120 years and you only get one chance to get it right, I believe it's more important to get it right than to meet some self-imposed timeline.<br />
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On a side note, I found this <a href="http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.queensu.ca%2Fsps%2Fqpr%2FCarr2.pdf&ei=RoByT7fvBOb30gGAopzXAQ&usg=AFQjCNGJjBSl7Jfwx1Xy73Vnksmz41V8Qg" target="_blank">report</a> by Alex Carr of Carleton University published last year by the Queen's Policy Review. He compares the Ottawa LRT to a proposed Ottawa-Gatineau LRT system covering the downtowns of both cities.<br />
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What stands out is his list of parameters for a successful LRT system:<br />
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1. Financial Cost<br />
2. Increase transit ridership and mobility<br />
3. Enhance economic and environmental vitality<br />
4. Encourage inter-modal transportation<br />
5. Address Ottawa's regional transit needs<br />
6. Passenger requirements<br />
7. Address tourism<br />
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Here's what Carr has to say:<br />
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"Perhaps the most important factor for a successful LRT system is meeting passengers’ specific needs. Key variables are speed, reliability, safety, user cost, convenience, stop amenities, aesthetics, and accessibility for the disabled and elderly. Meeting these requirements is crucial to ensuring ridership."</div>
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With Ottawa's LRT line it feels like the Financial Cost is the most important factor and not what passengers need from the system which Carr seems to think is the most important. If the project doesn't meet people's needs you may not get the ridership you need.</div>
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Carr also talked about how LRT systems could enhance tourism:</div>
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"<span style="font-family: Sabon-Roman;">Finally, in light of Ottawa’s unique position as the nation’s capital and the importance of our tourism sector, any new LRT project should specifically address tourism by connecting key landmarks, museums, events, and neighborhoods."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Sabon-Roman;"><span style="font-family: Sabon-Roman;">He praised the LRT line for reaching the <span style="font-family: Sabon-Roman;">National Arts Centre, Rideau Centre, ByWard Market, Train Station, and Parliament, but regrets it doesn't serve attractions on the Quebec side and in south Ottawa (i.e. Lansdowne Park). The NAC and Parliament can now be added to the list of attractions that will not be serviced by the LRT line.</span></span></span></div>
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But I hope this transit drama has a happy ending. As for me, I'm changing the channel to watch less stressful programming. Let me know if Victor Newman shows up.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em><span style="font-family: Sabon-Roman;"><span style="font-family: Sabon-Roman;"></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-14336211256547851932012-03-19T23:09:00.001-07:002012-03-19T23:35:21.701-07:00Ottawa LRT in need of long-term thinkers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6niyCKHdJ00/T2gMlTIiXRI/AAAAAAAABpc/EbztmotmiwQ/s1600/LRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6niyCKHdJ00/T2gMlTIiXRI/AAAAAAAABpc/EbztmotmiwQ/s400/LRT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Although I'm a supporter of Ottawa's LRT project, some of the recent events surrounding the plan are rubbing me the wrong way. <br />
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The Finance and Economic Development Committee recently voted to move Rideau Station from the edge of the parliamentary precinct to the Rideau Centre and the Byward Market. I'm actually in support of having a station at that location. It makes complete sense.<br />
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But I'm also in agreement with people like David Jeanes, president of Transport Action Canada, who believes there needs to be a station at Elgin Street that serves Parliament Hill, Confederation Square, the soon-to-be Elgin Street BIA, the east end of Sparks Street, City Hall, the National Arts Centre, and the east end of the business district, including two new office buildings.<br />
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Let's pause to put this into perspective here. According to the Ottawa Light Rail website, the tunnel is expected to have a lifespan of <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>100 to 120 years</strong></span>. To give you a picture of how long that is, Toronto's subway is only 58 years old. This means I'm not being dramatic in saying this line will serve my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.<br />
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My concern is there's no UNDO button somewhere at City Hall that will allow them to go back and correct their mistakes. I just think it's ridiculous that this LRT line could be around for the next 120 years and there won't be a station at such an important part of the city (unless there's a way to add a station in the future). That's the magnitude of this decision. <br />
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When I hear the mayor talk about this project, how the city is getting a Chevy and not a Cadillac, it sounds like he's trying to do us taxpayers a favour by staying at $2.1 billion dollars. Yes, the City will be spending $900 million as their share, but is it too much to absorb an additional $40 million for the sake of maybe getting a Lincoln? And setting up future generations of Ottawans to have a better system in the long run?<br />
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What would be a shame is if one of the proponents was able to find tens of millions of dollars in savings but the City never took the time to even look into the possibility of another station. If the budget is so precious put the onus on the proponents to determine whether they can deliver the extra station within or fairly close to the budget.<br />
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I understand there's a balance that has to be struck here. There's the need to make the project affordable and the need to have a functional system; not just functional in 2012 but functional from 2118 to 2138. That's how far ahead we have to be thinking if the City is correct in estimating a lifespan of 100 to 120 years for the tunnel. How will this exact same line serve Ottawans in the future? Will it still be functional then?<br />
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I would never advocate for frivilous spending, especially with the current economic climate, but in my opinion there's a difference between spending and investment.<br />
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Joanna Chianello of the Ottawa Citizen is right; <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Joanne+Chianello+Light+rail+project+still+need+good+driver/6316192/story.html" target="_blank">this project needs a champion</a>. Rick Chiarelli championed AA baseball. Stephen Blais championed smoking bans. Bob Monette is taking up the cause of businesses on Laurier Street. Is there a councillor who will actually ask tough questions on this file?<br />
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Someone better stand up soon before this Chevy becomes a K-car.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-87222227184101925622012-02-20T12:16:00.000-08:002012-02-20T12:19:11.623-08:00Tech and the public service shrink as the arts and sports bloomOttawa Fashion Week has come and gone and I have to say I'm a little proud. I didn't attend this season but from a distance I can tell the event has grown. The Ottawa International Film Festival also seems to be going strong recently finishing their 72-hour challenge.<br />
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I've always seen these attractions as good for economic development, but I've begun to see that they serve a greater purpose for city-building and developing local identity.<br />
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Two of the ways in which they do that is by (a) providing a platform or outlet for people's crafts, and (b) inspiring people to dream.<br />
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As a child I always wanted to be a baseball player when I grew up. That dream came about after regular visits to Exhibition Stadium with my family to watch the Blue Jays. I was a huge Jesse Barfield fan. I wanted to hit home runs like him and throw people out at the plate from deep in right field like him. I even practiced his hitting stance in the mirror. If the Blue Jays weren't in Toronto I would've never joined a baseball league or dreamed of being a pro baseball player. Their presence in the city alone made me a dreamer.<br />
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Today there are quite a few basketball players from the Greater Toronto Area who have either made it to the NBA or are in American high schools and the NCAA hoping to go pro in a few years. The Raptors have inspired a generation of young Raptors fans to one day play in the NBA.<br />
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Once people have dreamed and have begun to pursue their passions, these kinds of attractions also give people an outlet to work and grow in their craft.<br />
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Bluesfest has given groups like Philly Moves a significant local platform to work their craft. Ottawa Fashion Week and the Ottawa International Film Festival have given local fashion designers and film makers an outlet for their craft.<br />
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New attractions like Nuit Blanche, AA baseball, NASL soccer, and CFL football will also give aspiring local artists and athletes both inspiration and/or a possible platform.<br />
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Big cities like Toronto attract people because they inspire them with possibilities and provide so many outlets for people to work in their craft, especially on a full-time basis. Ottawa is slowly getting to that place, partly through the attractions that are growing in the city.<br />
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Today Ottawa is only known for government and technology, but how many of our children will aspire to be athletes, artists, fashion designers, film makers, and musicians because of the platforms that are being built in our city today? How many people would be able to stay in Ottawa and be successful in their craft because there's a platform available in the city instead of having to move elsewhere?<br />
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Many people, including myself, have said Ottawa is becoming a big city because it's becoming more dense and it's getting proper rail infrastructure (including a subway), but I also believe what is making Ottawa a big city is that through the hard work of some visionary people it's slowly starting to build those platforms and ecosystems in certain industries that will allow people to aspire and work in the area of their passions.<br />
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Some people are mourning the shrinking of our technology sector and cuts to the public service, which are unfortunate, but it's time to get excited about the growth of fashion, art, music, sports, and film in our city. Ottawa is growing up right before our eyes!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-42250009597209678612012-01-30T16:23:00.000-08:002012-01-30T16:29:01.352-08:00Forget 2017, Ottawa's owning 2012!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past weekend was one of the best, if not THE best, weekend I've experienced since moving to Ottawa almost two and a half years ago.<br />
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The NHL All-Star festivities brought an excitement to the city that was quite contagious. Even my wife, who doesn't even watch hockey, was caught up in the excitement.<br />
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There was something in the air- electricity, a buzz. Like when you walk through Toronto or Montreal and you feel like you're in the middle of something exciting but you can't put your finger on it. In this case I knew what it was- NHL All-Star weekend. I've been asking myself how to make that energy the norm in our city. I think I have a partial answer. <br />
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Over the past few months I've been learning about momemtum. I'm not a scientist, but here's what I learned. Momentum, which could loosely be considered a synonym for Velocity, means "force or speed of movement". Momentum is usually triggered by an impetus, or stimulus, that applies force to an object. The more force that's applied to an object is the more speed the object will gain. <br />
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Through external forces like gravity, sometimes you can build so much momentum that the object can pick up even more speed on its own. I can push a ball down a hill, which would be the impetus, and eventually the ball picks up even more speed as gravity pulls it. It's also like riding a bike where you peddle hard, build up a lot of energy, and once enough momentum has been created, or through gravity, you can eventually coast and it doesn't require as much energy anymore. That's as far as my limited understanding of science will take me (I was close to failing every science class I've taken).<br />
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Outside of the physical, without momentum ideas never get off the ground and plans remain good intentions.<br />
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Why is this relevant? Because I believe the NHL All-Star weekend was a very important impetus, or momentum-builder, for Ottawa. For sure, it was a defining moment for the city.<br />
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In a few months Ottawa will host the Juno Awards and its week long festivities; another momentum-builder that will carry us into Summer bringing with it Bluesfest and Canada Day. I know our mayor wants to own 2017, but I think we're owning 2012.<br />
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I also believe that another key to building this momentum is through homegrown annual events. One-off events visiting your city, like the NHL All-Star weekend, is very good, but having consistent events every year help to sustain the energy all year round goes a long way. A city like Toronto that every year hosts what has become the biggest film festival in the world, the Molson Indy, and Caribana, among other events, can count on these events to sustain the energy in the city.<br />
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If Ottawa is going to be a city where the buzz we experienced this weekend is the norm it's going to be up to Bluesfest, Ottawa Fashion Week, the Ottawa International Film Festival, the Capital Hoedown, Canada Day, Nuit Blanche, Ottawa Race Weekend, and whatever other significant events are coming down the pipe (New Year's Eve celebration at Lansdowne Park? Please?)<br />
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We had the impetus this weekend and the momentum has started. It's not time to get lazy; it's time to keep adding force and moving forward. It starting to look like Ottawa is owning 2012!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-41666591660263574052012-01-26T07:12:00.000-08:002012-01-26T07:24:17.189-08:00Should Ottawa's chambers of commerce unite?I recently wrote a piece for Open File Ottawa on whether it's time for Ottawa's many chambers of commerce to unite. Click <a href="http://ottawa.openfile.ca/ottawa/text/should-ottawas-chambers-commerce-unite">here</a> to read the full article.<br />
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The article inspired a similar <a href="http://www.obj.ca/Opinion/2012-01-24/article-2872915/Should-Ottawas-chambers-of-commerce-unite/1">piece on the same topic</a> by Peter Kovessy, editor of the Ottawa Business Journal, in which he refers to my Open File article. Either on Open File, the Ottawa Business Journal, or right here on Reinventing Ottawa, let me know what you think.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em><br />
<br />Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-8195238685249865262012-01-19T07:02:00.000-08:002012-01-19T07:02:05.868-08:00Ottawa a middle-of-the-pack performer on the world stage<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Yesterday the Ottawa Citizen republished a story by <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Calgary+Edmonton+ranked+among+local+economies+world/6014057/story.html">Derek Abma of the Financial Post</a> about a report by the Washington DC-based Brookings Institution on the performance of the world's top 200 local economies. The Canadian cities that made the list were Calgary (51st), Edmonton (60th), Vancouver (76th), Toronto (79th), Hamilton (83rd), Ottawa (109th) and Montreal (120th).</div>
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The Brookings Institution has a cool interactive map on their website charting the economic performance of these cities over 2010 and 2011. The map covers three time periods: 1993-2007, 2007-2010, and 2010-2011. Each city is symbolized by a circle with the size reflecting the size of the city's economy. </div>
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What the map shows us is that from 1993-2007 Ottawa was a middle-of-the-pack performer, but was actually in one of the higher tiers labelled "Second Strongest" from 2007-2010. During that same period Calgary, the top performing Canadian city during 2010-2011 and 1993-2007, was in the "Second Weakest" category while Toronto was in the "Middle" category. Montreal, Vancouver and Edmonton joined Ottawa on the "Second Strongest" list. </div>
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There's too much information there to analyze in one blog post, but if you enjoy analysis you can have a field day with their map. Check it out <a href="http://www.brookings.edu/info/globalmm/globalmetromonitormap.aspx">here</a>. Enjoy!</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em></div>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-1511016238553669282012-01-08T20:39:00.000-08:002012-01-08T20:40:16.338-08:00Winter Tour brings Blue Jays to the capitalSome of my most memorable childhood experiences were going to Blue Jays games at Exhibition Place, and later Skydome, with my family. <br />
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I played in a baseball league for many years as a kid. My favourite player was Jesse Barfield. Baseball has this weird affect on me where it makes me feel like a kid all over again.<br />
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I'm one of those old school Jays fans. Although Roberto Alomar is probably my favourite Blue Jay of all time and the 1992 and 1993 World Series were so exciting for Toronto, it was Jesse Barfield, George Bell, Kelly Gruber, Tony Fernandez, and Lloyd Mosbey that made me fall in love with the team.<br />
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I now live in Ottawa, but I try to go to a few games every season.<br />
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It was for this reason that I went down to the St. Laurent Centre to get a glance of the Toronto Blue Jays during their Ottawa stop on their Winter Tour. The line up to meet J.P. Arencibia, Ricky Romero, Casey Janssen, and probably my favourite Blue Jay right now, Brett Lawrie.<br />
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I wasn't sure how many Blue Jays fans there were in Ottawa and, as a result, how long the line up would be, but there was a pretty good turn out. Seeing the crowd I wondered if this would reinforce the need for affiliate baseball. A middle aged baseball fan shared the same thoughts. He spoke to me about the bitter taste that the departure of the Lynx left in the mouths of baseball fans, the improvement in the baseball culture in the city over the past year with the Fat Cats, and how much we need the rumoured AA team. <br />
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Today's crowd has spoken- Ottawa, at least a few hundred of us, loves baseball.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SvgiSu-ibc/TwpuNgdkxFI/AAAAAAAABZs/FfICxz8XBPM/s1600/PIC11%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SvgiSu-ibc/TwpuNgdkxFI/AAAAAAAABZs/FfICxz8XBPM/s400/PIC11%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-37800027672808167182012-01-06T20:28:00.000-08:002012-01-06T20:47:53.226-08:00New NCC Infocentre at World Exchange PlazaToday I took a few pictures of the new NCC Infocentre at the World Exchange Plaza. You'll notice they're using the fairly new "Capitale" branding with the NCC logo nowhere in sight. I think it's a good decision since it's more important for visitors to recognize the brand of the capital than the bureaucratic agency that stewards it. <br />
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Instead of being located near the Metcalfe entrance where tourists would most likely enter before or after visiting Parliament Hill it's located in between Shoppers Drug Mart and TD Canada Trust closer to O'Connor. Perhaps they made that decision to be closer to the BIXI bikes. Looking at its location I couldn't help but wonder whether tourists will be able to find it; I would've expected a more prominent location (the location of the magazine shop at the Metcalfe entrance would be ideal). <br />
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Although the kiosk looks good, I have to admit I'll miss having them on Wellington Street.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQONxalRvts/TwfIa44aAaI/AAAAAAAABXs/7eZQOLko9AA/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQONxalRvts/TwfIa44aAaI/AAAAAAAABXs/7eZQOLko9AA/s400/IMG_0243.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-4220456049653636872011-12-21T12:56:00.001-08:002012-01-06T20:32:46.411-08:00Review of the Ottawa media landscape in 2011<div style="border: currentColor;">
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When I first decided to once again write a piece about an annual glance at the Ottawa media landscape I wasn't really excited, but it was something I felt should be written. As I began to revisit articles and tweets from the city's main news sources I began to realize how much of a transformative year this was for Ottawa media. Compared to<a href="http://reinventingottawa.blogspot.com/search/label/Media"> last year's post</a> so much has happened.</div>
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Hopefully in reading this post you will see that Ottawa changed and grew by leaps and bounds as a Canadian media centre.</div>
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You may ask why I've decided to do this annual piece. It's because I believe that media, whether TV, web, film, and print, is one of the most influential industries on a city's culture and identity along with real estate development/architecture. In my opinion it's these industries that will help to make Ottawa a vibrant place to live, study and do business. <br />
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I also believe that as the capital of Canada our city has been an underachiever when it comes to media.When you look at national capitals they usually have a pretty strong and influential national media voice which I believe we are lacking right now. As the capital city we have lots to say and offer Canadians, and there's lots of room for growth.<br />
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So without further ado, let's get started.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Print</span></strong><br />
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The city's main business news source, the Ottawa Business Journal, saw some major changes. In January the <a href="http://www.obj.ca/Local/2010-08-12/article-1671337/OBJ-acquired-by-local-group/1">deal between Transcontinental and Great River Media</a> took effect with the latter purchasing and operating the Ottawa Business Journal and its related brands. Also in January, <a href="http://www.obj.ca/Opinion/Capital-Gains/2011-01-27/article-2177025/Jim-Donnelly,-signing-off/1">Jim Donnelly stepped down</a> as editor of the paper to join the team at MediaMiser with writer Peter Kovessy taking over his post.<br />
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In September the Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce <a href="http://www.ottawachamber.ca/wcnews/NewsArticleDisplay.aspx?articleid=26">announced plans to jointly host all business related events</a> the two organizations previously hosted individually. These included the Ottawa Business Achievement Awards and OBJ's CEO of the Year Awards. <br />
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All the way across town, the Ottawa Citizen had some interesting activity with David Reevely and Joanne Chianello switching places; David returning to the bureau at City Hall and Joanne taking over as city columnist. Randall Denley took leave from his job at the Citizen to run for the Ontrario Progressive Conservatives against former Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli. Although he didn't win, the announcement of Ken Gray's retirement in late June left an open space for the almost-MPP on the paper's editorial board.<br />
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In late November the <a href="http://www.obj.ca/Local/2011-11-29/article-2819147/Hill-Times-purchases-The-Lobby-Monitor/1">Hill Times Publishing purchased The Lobby Monitor</a>, a subscription service formerly owned by ARC Publications. The Lobby Monitor will join Hill Times Publishing's other media products including The Hill Times, Embassy Magazine, The Wire Report and Parliament Now. It's safe to say Hill Times Publishing is Ottawa's leader in print and web-based media products for parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, and public servants.<br />
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On the community newspaper front, in October, Metroland, a division of Torstar Corp., purchased Smiths Falls-based Performance Printing for $22-million. The deal included Performance Printing's EMC group of newspapers. As a result, this week Metroland ceased publication of its <em>Ottawa This Week</em> newspapers.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Radio</span></strong><br />
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We also saw some excitement in radio. In January local radio sensation Jeff Mauler secured a gig co-hosting <em>Live! with Regis and Kelly</em> alongside Kelly Ripa. The following month, after two years, 106.9 dropped the Virgin label and rebranded itself as The Bear after viewers didn't recognize the new brand. Then a few months later Stuntman Stu would leave the morning show at BOB FM to join the morning team at Bell Media's Majic 100. In December, Carleton University journalism grad Robyn Bresnahan returned from working with the BBC in London to become the new host of CBC Ottawa Morning, the city's most popular morning radio show. <br />
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But unfortuantely December also became a time of sadness as former Majic host Kevin Nelson died after a lengthy illness. He had been with the station since its founding in 1991. <br />
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Mayor Watson said of his death, “He was optimistic about his recovery. He just sent me an e-mail joke this week. It’s difficult. Kevin, a year and a half ago, was on top of his game, he was doing very well in radio, had the top rated show. It’s sad to see a relatively young man pass so suddenly.” <br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Film & Television</span></strong><br />
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In television, Quebecor's Sun News Network, probably Canada's most controversial media brand, went on the air which meant another Ottawa/Parliament Hill Bureau came to the capital. In late November the network also announced the opening of its first foreign bureau in Washington DC with Bryn Weese of the Ottawa Bureau filling the post of Senior Washington Correspondent.<br />
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Also in television, 2011 was a year of major public scrutiny for the CBC, Canada's public broadcaster. There is growing pressure to change disclosure rules concerning the CBC to provide more financial accountability, especially salaries, and access to information. As a public broadcaster competing in the private sector this may be difficult, fueling talk of privatization.<br />
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One of the most exciting events in the Ottawa television industry was a new original TV series being shot in the capital. The CBC's <em><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/michael/">Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays</a></em> is one of the first series I've seen where Ottawa played a major role in the production; in fact it is almost a character in the story. Nepean native, Sandra Oh, came to town to shoot an episode for the comedic drama.<br />
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In December, Ottawa will also be home to <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/allinaday/2011/12/07/penthouse-north-where-ottawa-stands-in-for-new-york-and-er-afghanistan/">Hollywood production <em>Penthouse North</em></a>. Co-produced by Ottawa's <a href="http://www.zedfilmworks.com/">Zed FilmWorks</a>, the film starring Batman star, Michael Keaton, and Mission Impossible 2 star, Michelle Monahan will be set in New York City. The studio, located in the city's east end, will be the biggest set ever built in Ottawa.<br />
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With the creation, and subsequent approval in late July, of the <a href="http://ottawa.ca/cgi-bin/pressco.pl?Elist=16988&lang=en">new City of Ottawa-OCRI economic development agency Invest Ottawa</a>, we can expect to see more film and television productions in the city. <br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">UPDATE: In community television, Daytime Ottawa co-host TL Rader decided to leave the show to pursue her professional dance career. To fill the post Rogers TV held a big talent search competition to find her replacement. In the end former Ryerson journalism grad Lois Lee came out on top.</span><br />
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Other events in television were the transformation of A Channel into CTV2 and the resignation of Ottawa-Gatineau Film & Television Development Corporation head Rock Brunette. With the creation of Invest Ottawa, the hiring of a new commissioner, and the City of Gatineau leaving the partnership, there are more changes on the way for OGFT.</div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Web/Blogosphere</span></strong></div>
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When it comes to the Ottawa blogosphere perhaps 2011 should be known as the "Year of the Fashion Blogger".</div>
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After a brief repose local fashion and style blog 613 Style returned, supporting the local fashion and music communities and commenting on events in pop culture.</div>
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On October 21st the Ottawa Citizen published an article called "Ottawa's Top Fashion Bloggers" which highlighted the ladies that are helping to put Ottawa on the fashion map through hosting exciting parties and writing posts about fashion and pop culture. The list included <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Ashley+McConnell+Dare+Unravel/5587487/story.html?cid=megadrop_story">Ashley McConnell</a>, <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/fashion-beauty/Loukia+Zigoumis+Loulou+Views/5587505/story.html">Loukia Zigomis</a>, <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Marilou+Moles+Twenty+York+Street/5587517/story.html">Marilou Moles</a>, <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Erica+Wark+Erica+Fashion/5587509/story.html?cid=megadrop_story">Erica Wark</a>, and <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Julie+Champagne/5587528/story.html?cid=megadrop_story">Julie Lan</a>.</div>
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Building on this momentum, in December the <a href="http://www.ottawacitizenstyle.com/">Ottawa Citizen launched their style website</a> covering fashion, food and drink, and homes.<br />
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And in other news, earlier this year arts and culture website <a href="http://www.thewig.ca/">The Wig</a> took a hiatus.</div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Conclusion</span></strong></div>
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In 2011 Ottawa experienced some growth as a media centre and I'm excited about what 2012 holds for our city. More blogs? More news websites? More TV and film productions? More magazines? I'm waiting on the edge of my seat.<br />
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If there's something significant I forgot or if I got some of my details wrong, feel free to contact me so I can update the post. Have a Happy New Year, Ottawa!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-84453063524137282802011-12-20T10:17:00.000-08:002012-01-06T20:34:41.903-08:00Does the capital region need a regional transportation authority?<div style="border: currentColor;">
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On Monday, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced construction of the express rail link between Union Station in downtown Toronto and Canada's busiest airport. The link will be completed in time for the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. Last year the estimated price tag for the 23.3-kilometer line was $300-million, but no recent numbers has been provided for the project.</div>
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Throughout all my years of living in Toronto the Ontario Government invested heavily in the provincial capital, especially when it came to transit infrastructure and attractions. Ontario Place, the ROM, and the Ontario Science Centre were amazing childhood attractions of which I have great memories of family outtings and school trips. </div>
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GO Transit is a service that many Torontonians may take for granted, but it continues to link Toronto with the whole region. In most circles of urban thinking people are trying to get motorists out of their cars and onto public transit. It's commonplace for people to drive their cars 5-10 minutes to their closest GO Transit station and take the train and bus into downtown. That's not possible in the National Capital Region.<br />
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The Government of Ontario is at it again with the Union Station-Pearson Aiport link.<br />
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Meanwhile in the National Capital Region a company called Mobility Ottawa Outaouais: Systems and Enterprises Inc., or MOOSE, is trying to get inter-provincial commuter rail going in our neck of the woods. Although they're not asking for money from municipalities they will seek provincial or federal money to help pay for maintenance costs. MOOSE has spoken to a number of mayors in the region but we haven't heard anything from the mayor of Ottawa. I would love to see the mayor of Ottawa, not necessarily Jim Watson but whoever the office holder is at the time, take some leadership in the region even if it's just initiating dialogue on key regional issues.<br />
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Although I love the fact that an entrepreneur is taking the initiative to provide this service, where's the vision from higher levels of government? There are some areas where I want governments to do less and there are others where I want governments to do more, and transit infrastructure is one of them. Perhaps this is a Thomas Ahearn situtation where an entrepreneur will spearhead the thing and eventually some level of government will come on board. Hopefully they won't poo poo on the whole thing like they did to Thomas Ahearn's baby.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I'm not necessarily expecting the Government of Ontario to provide leadership on these kinds of projects like they do in Toronto because we're not their provincial capital, we're the national capital so our main partners should be the Federal Government and its agencies.<br />
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Once upon a time every Prime Minister who was elected would have a legacy project; something that would transform the capital. Perhaps because of financial constraints we haven't seen that in a number of years. In the future I'd love to see these legacy projects return; hopefully something that's more about urbanism than just beautification.<br />
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Ottawa is Canada's fourth largest metropolitan area (along with Gatineau), the second largest city in Ontario, and the economic engine of Eastern Ontario. Perhaps we should scrap "National Capital Region" and call it the "Greater Ottawa Area" so we all can remember these facts. The City's White Paper on Development in the Greater Ottawa-Gatineau Area says, "With two-thirds of the total population and 76% of the jobs, Ottawa serves as the region’s economic engine and main generator of growth. However, Ottawa has no planning jurisdiction beyond its borders and there is currently no Official Plan (OP) policy that addresses growth at a metropolitan level." <br />
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As the NCC develops its Horizon 2067 plan perhaps such a framework can be developed that will guide growth at a metropolitan/regional level (a framework driven by municipalities and supported by the NCC).<br />
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As I've said before, I believe the mandate of the NCC is spread too thin. It's a waterfront development agency/pseudo-interprovincial transit agency/national festivals agency and none of those mandates end up getting dedicated, 24/7 attention. <br />
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As I read about the contribution MetroLinx makes to the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area, I daydream about what a regional transportation authority, dedicating 100% of its time to growing regional transportation, could do for the capital region. Before we get proud and say we don't need to be like Toronto let's remember that OCRI's new business incubator and Invest Ottawa are both Toronto inspired. Perhaps this is another best practice we should borrow.<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: black;">PIC: Artist's rendering of Airport Rail Link train</span></div>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-46090901626832713872011-12-12T09:43:00.000-08:002011-12-12T09:45:07.244-08:00What Torontonians want to see in the Nation's CapitalA few weeks ago I criticized the NCC's Capital Conversations event held at the University of Toronto. It looked very boring and "undiverse" with not much youth or many people of colour.<br />
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More than any other provincial capital, I was looking forward to hearing what Torontonians had to say because along with Montreal, Toronto is already a vibrant, cosmopolitan, world class city that does things well. <br />
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Although I wasn't aware at the time, the NCC also held an event at City Hall and I was happy to see that there were many people of colour and people of all ages sharing their vision for the capital. Looking over the pictures it actually looked like a lot of fun.<br />
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So although the U of T event looked "dry and academic", as I believe I called it, in the end it looked like the NCC did a good job of capturing a good cross section of the population so I owe them an apology.<br />
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Of course there were some people calling for more green spaces. I really don't understand the fixation with green space. I feel Ottawa already has enough. Someone's going to have to explain that to me some time. <br />
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Some recurring themes I saw in the responses were more Festivals, Nightlife, Architecture, Culture, and Multiculturalism. I've included some of my favourite responses below.<br />
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This last one caught my attention more than any other. "Promote Ottawa as the most Multicultural Capital in the World". </div>
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Our world is full of cities and countries trying to brand themselves and communicate their vision. Vancouver wants to be the world's "Green Capital" and "the greenest city in the world by 2020". Portland also wants to be the greenest city in the world. Barbados wants to be the #1 entrepreneurial hub in the world.</div>
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Ottawa may very well be one of the most multicultural capitals in the world aside from London and Paris. Being located in Ontario, down the highway from Toronto, arguably the most multicultural city in the world, this would be a very attainable long-term objective in my opinion. I think this point needs some serious consideration from our elected and unelected officials.</div>
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Click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ncc-ccn/sets/72157628082042785/with/6377259937/">here</a> to see all the pictures from the Toronto meetings.</div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Kevin Bourne</span></strong></div>
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<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em></div>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3766498732299151628.post-12450502026932631102011-12-09T07:58:00.001-08:002012-01-06T20:33:53.814-08:00Waterfront development on Ottawa's horizon?I'm having some mixed emotions this morning. Over the past few days I was thinking about an outline for a firy article about Ottawa's lack of waterfront development. It was supposed to be called, "Waterfront development not on Ottawa's horizon".<br />
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The reason I was writing the article was because I saw the community design plan for the area around the future Bayview LRT station. In the picture below you'll see the land uses for the area. The blue area shows that this prime waterfront land is to be "Major Open Space". The video for the plan talked about "preserving the natural environment" which means a whole bunch of empty greenspace. No place to shop, eat or have a drink.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lX0lRsZVp3A/TuIwtbIzwcI/AAAAAAAABVo/DrZ_zdzF5xk/s1600/Bayview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lX0lRsZVp3A/TuIwtbIzwcI/AAAAAAAABVo/DrZ_zdzF5xk/s400/Bayview.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was then going to criticize the overall attitude towards waterfront development in this city, particularly that of the NCC. I was going to say that when I go back to Toronto I usually head towards the waterfront because we have no waterfront development in Ottawa. The article would've been filled with sarcastic comments and what I thought would be beautiful punch lines.<br />
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I would've quoted some <a href="http://www.pps.org/waterfronts/howtocreateavibrantwaterfront/">articles from Project for Public Spaces (PPS) about waterfront development</a> and show that the direction the NCC is taking is wrong.<br />
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I was going to show a picture of the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas and ask why the Rideau Canal couldn't have just a little development so it could become a shopping, dining and general hang out destination.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Q8zOBzI_UA/TuIyOffyyaI/AAAAAAAABVw/ZmaZS-Il0WA/s1600/riverwalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Q8zOBzI_UA/TuIyOffyyaI/AAAAAAAABVw/ZmaZS-Il0WA/s400/riverwalk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then I would've woke up today and read the <a href="http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2011/12/09/ncc-wants-um-stuff-to-happen-by-the-rideau-canal/">lattest blog post by the Ottawa Citizen's David Reevely</a> and felt completely stupid.<br />
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So the NCC wants to add some gusto to the shores of the Rideau Canal. They haven't exactly said they'll be development, but hats off to them for waking up and smelling the coffee. I'm upset that my firy blog post and beautiful punch lines will have to be put back on the shelf, but I'm happy the NCC is at least taking a small step in the right direction.<br />
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David Reevely was right in saying, <em>"they’re casting a wide net. You never know what you’re going to get back. On the other hand, it’s so wide that it’s pretty hard to figure out what the NCC might possibly consider desirable. A lemonade stand? Actors playing John By’s work crews, telling passersby about their malaria? A skateboarding competition?"</em><br />
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Seeing that the proposals have to be implemented by the Summer of 2012 I doubt we'll be seeing any restaurants or shops. They used some strong NCC language like asking for proposals, actually "pilot projects", that will "enhance the Capital Experience" so we may be seeing a lot of stuff that appeals to all Canadians. Perhaps they'll dump a bunch of lobsters and cod in the canal so people from the Maritimes will feel at home in Ottawa. Only time will tell.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Kevin Bourne</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #990000;">reinventingottawa.blogspot.com</span></em>Kevin Bournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127571475321963823noreply@blogger.com0